ASEAN concludes historic negotiations for the Digital Economy Framework Agreement

Manila- The successful conclusion of negotiations for the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) marks a major milestone in advancing regional economic integration and digital trade.

Announced during the Second ASEAN Senior Economic Officials’ Meeting (SEOM 2/57) in Manila, the agreement is expected to strengthen cooperation in areas such as digital trade, cross-border e-commerce, digital payments, cybersecurity, data governance, and emerging technologies.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary and 2026 ASEAN Economic Community Council Chair Cristina Roque welcomed the conclusion of negotiations, noting that the DEFA will help attract investments, promote innovation, expand opportunities for businesses, and support more inclusive economic growth across the region.

Once implemented, the agreement is projected to help double the value of ASEAN’s digital economy to US$2 trillion by 2030, creating new opportunities for businesses, investors, and digital economy stakeholders throughout Southeast Asia.

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